New England Patriots and NFL insider Ben Volin of the Boston Globe revealed a bombshell Thursday regarding whether head coach Bill Belichick wants to leave the club following what’s become a disappointing season for everyone involved.
“I’m told Belichick doesn’t want to leave New England, but he doesn’t control his fate,” Volin wrote. “(Patriots owner Robert Kraft) does. But the contract gives Belichick some say in how the departure is handled.”
Volin explained that Belichick is under contract through the 2024 season “for at least $25M.” Kraft essentially would have to pay to fire Belichick unless the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach accepted a trade.
Belichick has already been linked with the Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys, as well as with some rebuilding franchises.
“Kraft would obviously rather trade the coach, to avoid paying the buyout and to get something in return — much like how Kraft gave up a first-round pick for Belichick back in 2000,” Volin noted. “…But Belichick, assuming he does get another head coaching job, won’t want to trade a draft pick to the Patriots, even if it’s just a third- or fourth-rounder. Every pick matters.”
Unlike with players, Belichick is not required to accept any undesired outcome other than a firing that would include the 71-year-old cashing in before becoming a free agent. It’s widely thought he won’t retire at any point this offseason, as Pro Football Network shows he trails only Don Shula by just 15 wins (regular season and postseason combined) in all-time career victories.
“…The easiest solution will be an agreement to part ways, peaceful and clean,” Volin concluded. “No buyout, no draft picks. …Belichick has enough leverage that playing hardball would be a massive waste of Kraft’s time and energy.”
As recently as this week, it was suggested that Kraft hasn’t yet made a final decision about Belichick’s future, in part because the 3-11 Patriots haven’t given up on their coach amid a lost season. How New England competes at the 7-7 Denver Broncos in a prime-time Christmas Eve showdown could help Kraft make his mind up on how to handle the Belichick dilemma come January.
